Northern Research Policy Contributions to Canadian Arctic Sustainability

Alison D. Perrin, Gita Ljubicic and Aynslie Ogden
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Alison D. Perrin: Geography and Environmental Studies, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
Gita Ljubicic: Geography and Environmental Studies, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
Aynslie Ogden: Polar Knowledge Canada, Cambridge Bay, NU X0B 0C0, Canada

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 21, 1-39

Abstract: Academic research plays a key role in developing understanding of sustainability issues in the Canadian Arctic, yet northern organizations and governments struggle to find research that is relevant, respectful of local interests, and that builds local capacity. Northern science and research policies communicate expectations for how research should be prioritized, planned, conducted, and disseminated. They discuss northern leadership of research and outline the diverse roles that northerners and northern organizations could fill in research programs and projects. Many of these documents are founded on the need for research to improve environmental, economic, and social sustainability in the Canadian North and provide insight into how academia can support a northern-led Arctic sustainability research agenda. The goal of this study is to examine northern research-policy documents to identify commonalities amongst the goals and priorities of northern organizations and their shared expectations for research in northern Canada. The objectives are to understand how organizations expect researchers to engage in and conduct research, how research programs can align with northern science policy objectives, and how academic research can support policy and decision-making related to sustainability. Through a quantitative content analysis combined with a qualitative thematic analysis, this comprehensive review examines research policy, strategy, guidance, and program documents produced by northern and northern-focused governments and Indigenous organizations. Relationships, partnership, and communication are the foundations of relevant and applicable research, requiring both resources and time for local and partner participation. Our analysis shows that researchers should consider potential policy applications for sustainability research early on in the development of research projects, ensuring that relevant local and policy partners are involved in designing the project and communicating results.

Keywords: northern research policy; research governance; research priorities; Arctic; sustainability; Yukon; Northwest Territories; Nunavut; Nunavik; Nunatsiavut (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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